Broncos legend moves into new off-field role

He will forever remain a legend of the Brisbane Broncos, and now, perhaps their greatest ever halfback in Alfie Langer will move into an off-field position at the club, instead of being involved in a coaching role.

Langer, who was the captain of the first Broncos side to win a premiership in 1992, advised Broncos coach Anthony Griffin of his decison – with the club legend saying he has never said he wants to be a head coach.

“I’ve said from the start I don’t profess to be a head coach,” he said.

“I really enjoy the corporate role and it suits my style as well. This will give me a lot more time at home, and free me up to do the other things I do with the FOGS and in Papua New Guinea with Mal.

“I’ll miss the players, but I won’t be going too far. I’ll still be involved with the club as an ambassador, so I’ll be around training, I’ll do my training here so no doubt I’ll see the guys.

“I always enjoyed the camaraderie and I loved playing, but certainly coaching was never my forte.

“I spoke to ‘Hook’ (Griffin) after the season during our review. The last off-season I did some corporate work and missed the pre-season, so it’s been pretty much happening for 12 months.”

His playing days may be over, but Langer has a plan to ensure that he is always involved with the club in some capacity.

“It was fantastic, I was lucky enough to be captain in that game but the best thing is now we are doing a 20-year reunion – we are all going to Sydney,” he said.

“There will be more than 20 blokes going, so it just shows the mateship we have formed at the Broncos and what we are all about.

“I’ve been here as an assistant since Wayne Bennett, about three years – I’ve enjoyed it, but I missed the pre-season last year and I’ve been leaning towards this for a while now.

“I’m looking forward to my new role. At the end of the day, I love the Broncos. I’ve been here from the start and knowing a lot of sponsors and getting to know the fans.

“Corporately, I will still be at all the home games and away games with sponsors, so that suits what I love doing.”

Alfie’s tenure as assistant and as an on-field spearhead at the Broncos has not gone unnoticed, with coach Anthony Griffin praising Langer for what he has done.

“Alf has been great,” he said.

“We spoke about this last year and he’ll be missed by the players.

“Everyone loves him here, but the important thing he is not going anywhere – he will still be around the club and that’s important for everyone.”